Tonight (January 31), a impressive roster of music stars will take part in two FireAid benefit concerts that will be held simultaneously at Intuit Dome and the Kia Forum near Los Angeles.
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Among the many artists set to perform at the Kia Forum are Joni Mitchell, Stephen Stills, and Graham Nash. It’s not known if any of these music legends will be collaborating at the concert, although if Graham and Stephen do hit the stage together, it would mark the first time they’d performed live with each other since Crosby, Stills & Nash sang at the National Tree Lighting in Washington, D.C., in December 2015.
Mitchell has had a musical association with Stills and Nash that dates back to early in her recording career. Of course, she also was involved in a romantic relationship with Nash from 1968 to 1970.
In honor of their participation in FireAid, here’s a look at the shared musical history of Joni, Stephen, and Graham.
Stills’ and Nash’s Contributions to Mitchell’s Albums
Around 1967 and early ’68, Mitchell briefly dated David Crosby, who became an early supporter of Joni’s work. Crosby produced Mitchell’s 1968 debut album, Song to a Seagull. Stills, who would soon team up with David in CSN, played bass on one song from the album—“Night in the City.”
Stills played a bigger role on Mitchell’s second album, Clouds (1969), playing bass and guitar on multiple tracks. Clouds featured Joni’s early classic “Chelsea Morning” and “Both Sides, Now.”
Crosby, Stills, and Nash all appeared on a famous song from Mitchell’s third album, Ladies of the Canyon (1970). Credited as the Lookout Mountain United Downstairs Choir, the trio sang backing vocals on “The Circle Game.”
Mitchell’s fourth album, Blue (1971), is widely considered to be one of the greatest albums of all time. Stills is featured on bass and guitar on the song “Carey.”
Blue also featured a number of intimate songs inspired by Joni’s relationship with Graham, including “My Old Man” and “River.”
Stills and Nash both appear on separate tracks on Mitchell’s fifth album For the Roses, which was released in 1972. Stephen played multiple instruments on “Blonde in the Bleachers,” while Graham played harmonica on “Blonde in the Bleachers.”
Nash and Crosby contributed backing vocals to “Free Man in Paris,” a hit single from Mitchell’s sixth studio album, Court and Spark (1974).
Graham and David also lent their vocal talents to “In France They Kiss on Main Street,” the lead track from Joni’s seventh studio album, The Hissing of Summer Lawns (1975).
Mitchell’s Other Collabs or Musical Associations with Stills and Nash
Mitchell, of course, also wrote one of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young’s biggest hits, “Woodstock.” The song was inspired by the famous 1969 festival, although Joni did not attend or take part in the event. As for CSNY (Neil Young had joined Crosby, Stills & Nash shortly after the trio had released their self-titled debut album), Woodstock was one of their first gigs.
CSNY’s rocking cover of “Woodstock” was heard in Oscar-winning 1970 documentary about the festival, and the song reached No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Another one of CSNY’s most popular tunes, the Nash-penned folk ballad “Our House,” was inspired by a romantic day Graham spent with Joni.
Mitchell also sang backing vocals on “Another Sleep Song,” a track from Nash’s second solo album, Wild Tales (1974).
In addition, Joni painted the cover for the chart-topping 1974 Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young compilation So Far.
More About FireAid
As previously reported, the FireAid show will raise money for those affected by the devastating wildfires that have ravaged Southern California. The two-venue concert will be broadcast and streamed live by a wide variety of streaming platforms, radio stations, websites, and apps. The event also will be shown at select AMC Theatre locations.
Other artists who will perform at the Kia Forum include Stevie Nicks, John Fogerty, Alanis Morissette, Red Hot Chili Peppers, No Doubt, The Black Crowes, Pink, Green Day, Dawes, and Anderson. Paak. In addition, Dave Matthews and John Mayer will perform together for the first time ever at the show.
Meanwhile, the lineup for the Intuit Dome performance includes Jelly Roll, Stevie Wonder, Katy Perry, Rod Stewart, Lady Gaga, Sting, Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, Earth, Wind & Fire, Gracie Abrams, Lil Baby, Tate McRae, and Peso Pluma. Surprise guests also are expected to appear at both venues.
For more information about FireAid Benefit Concert, or to make a donation to the cause, visit FireAidLA.org.
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